Appliance shelving system

ABSTRACT

An appliance shelving system is provided that has multiple different positions along the vertical direction for receipt of a shelf or rack. The construction of the features for supporting the shelf or rack allows for an increased number of vertical positions as compared to certain conventional constructions. The shelving system may be used in a variety of different appliance types including, for example, ovens and refrigerators.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to an appliancewith one or more features providing for the adjustability of thevertical position of one or more shelves or racks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Appliances such as refrigerators and ovens typically include one or moreshelves or racks for the support of food items and containers havingfood items. For example, oven appliances conventionally include one ormore racks whereby multiple food items can be placed into the oven forcooking operations. In order to accommodate food items and cookingutensils of different sizes, a typical construction includes horizontalprotrusions formed directly into the side walls of the oven cavity onwhich the racks can be slid in and out of the oven cavity. The racks andprotrusions are designed so that the user can remove the rack from theprotrusions at one vertical level and reinstall the rack at a differentvertical level, which the user may select based on e.g., the height ofthe food items or utensils, the number of items being cooked, the typeof food being cooked, and/or other factors. Refrigerators may haveshelves that e.g., include tabs or hooks at the rear of the shelves. Theshelves can be unhooked and moved to another vertical location.

Such conventional designs may present challenges to some users of theseappliances, however. For example, some users may find the removal andreinstallation of the rack or shelf so as to adjust the vertical heightto be cumbersome or difficult. Additionally, with oven appliances, theprotrusions are commonly formed by stamping metal sheets to form theside walls of the oven cavity. The number of vertical levels may belimited to e.g., only four or five within the oven cavity. Thus, theamount of vertical adjustability can be quite limited and, therefore,unsatisfactory to some users. Similar problems can exist with shelvingsystems in refrigerator appliances.

Other systems have been proposed to provide vertical adjustability forthe racks or shelves within an appliance. Typically, however, theseconstructions are also limited to fixed number of a relatively fewlocations at which the racks or shelves can be placed within theappliance. Some constructions may also be limited in the amount ofweight that can be supported.

Accordingly, an appliance having vertically adjustable racks or shelveswould be useful. An appliance also having features that allow for anincreased selection of vertical locations to which the racks or shelvescan be adjusted would also be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an appliance shelving system havingmultiple different positions along the vertical direction for receipt ofa shelf or rack. The construction of the features for supporting theshelf or rack allows for an increased number of vertical positions ascompared to certain conventional constructions. The shelving system maybe used in a variety of different appliance types including, forexample, ovens and refrigerators. Additional aspects and advantages ofthe invention will be set forth in part in the following description, ormay be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practiceof the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an appliancethat includes a cabinet having a cavity defined in part by a pair ofopposing side walls. Each opposing side wall is constructed with a metalsheet forming a plurality of shelf supports extending longitudinallyalong a transverse direction. The shelf supports are parallel to eachother and are formed integrally from the metal sheet. The shelf supportsare spaced apart from each other along a vertical direction. A shelfextends between the opposing side walls. The shelf is suspended upon apair of the shelf supports.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a shelfsupport assembly for an appliance having a cooking chamber. The shelfsupport assembly includes a pair of frames positioned on opposing sidesof the cooking chamber. Each frame includes a metal sheet forming aplurality of shelf supports. Each shelf support is formed by bending aportion of the sheet to create a vertically-extending flange portionpositioned beside a slot. A shelf extends between a pair of opposingsides. A pair of slide assemblies are provided with each slide assemblyattached to one of the opposing sides of the shelf. A pair of hangers isalso provided. Each hanger is attached to one of the slide assembliesalong one of the opposing sides of the shelf. Each hanger is receivedonto one of the shelf supports in a complementary manner so that theshelf is supported between the pair of frames.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the present provides an ovenappliance that includes a cabinet having a cooking chamber with sidewalls. A pair of frames are positioned on the side walls of the cookingchamber. Each frame includes a metal sheet forming a plurality of shelfsupports. Each shelf support is formed by bending a portion of the sheetto create a vertically-extending flange portion. A shelf extends betweena pair of opposing sides. A pair of slide assemblies are provided witheach slide assembly attached to one of the opposing sides of the shelf.A pair of hangers are provided with each hanger attached to one of theslide assemblies along one of the opposing sides of the shelf. Eachhanger is received onto a pair of the shelf supports in a complementarymanner so that the shelf is supported between the pair of frames.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an ovenappliance of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary oven cabinet of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a metal sheetforming exemplary shelf supports of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front distal end of an exemplaryhanger and metal sheet of the present invention while FIG. 5 is a sideview of the same.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary hanger andslide assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rear distal end of an exemplary hangerand metal sheet of the present invention while FIG. 7 is a side view ofthe same.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of an exemplary hanger of the presentinvention as used in FIGS. 2 through 8.

FIG. 10 provides a side view of the front end of another exemplaryembodiment of a hanger and metal sheet of the present invention whileFIG. 11 is perspective view of the same.

FIG. 12 provides a side view of the rear end of another exemplaryembodiment of a hanger and metal sheet of the present invention whileFIG. 13 is perspective view of the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an oven 100 according tothe present invention is shown. FIG. 1 provides a front view of oven 100while FIG. 2 provides a front perspective view into the cabinet 102 ofoven 100, which defines an exemplary cooking chamber or cavity 104 intowhich a vertically adjustable shelf (or rack) support assembly 106 withshelf 120 has been installed. As used herein, “rack” is not limited toan assembly of elongated wire structures 98 as shown with shelf 120 and,instead, includes shelves constructed from other materials such asexpanded metal and others. Accordingly, “rack” and “shelf” (and theplural forms thereof) are used interchangeably herein. Also, as will beunderstood by one of skill in the art using the teachings disclosedherein, support assembly 106 can be used with shelves or racks in otherappliances such as e.g., refrigerators as well. As such, oven 100 isprovided by way of example of an appliance only. Different embodimentsof cavity 104 with a different number of vertical positions for shelf120 may be used as well.

Oven 100 includes a door 108 with handle 110 that provides for openingand closing access to oven cavity 104 through an opening at the front ofcavity 104. A user of the appliance 100 can place a variety of differentitems to be cooked in oven cavity 104, which is defined in part by apair of opposing side walls 112, bottom wall 114, top wall 116, and rearwall 118 that extends laterally between opposing side walls 112.Multiple oven shelves or racks 120 can be positioned within cavity 104(only one shelf 120 is shown) on rack support assembly 106. The supportand height adjustability of shelf 120 using assembly 106 will be furtherdescribed.

One or more heating elements (not shown) can be positioned e.g., at thetop 116 of chamber 104 to provide heat for cooking and cleaning. Suchheating element(s) can be e.g., gas, electric, microwave, or acombination thereof Other heating elements can be located at the bottom114 of chamber 104 as well. A window 122 on door 108 allows the user toview e.g., food items during the cooking process. For purposes ofcooling, inlet 124 allows for an inflow of ambient air into aventilation system while vent 126 allows for the outflow of such airafter it has been heated by oven 100.

Oven 100 includes a user interface 128 having a display 130 positionedon top panel 132 with a variety of controls 134. Interface 128 allowsthe user to select various options for the operation of oven 100including e.g., temperature, time, and/or various cooking and cleaningcycles. Operation of oven appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller(not shown) that is operatively coupled i.e., in communication with,user interface panel 128, heating element(s), and other components ofoven 100 as will be further described.

For example, in response to user manipulation of the user interfacepanel 128, the controller can operate one or more heating element(s).The controller can receive measurements from a temperature sensor (notshown) placed in oven cavity 104 to e.g., provide a temperatureindication to the user with display 130. By way of example, thecontroller may include a memory and one or more processing devices suchas microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purposemicroprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with operation of appliance 100. Thememory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read onlymemory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executesprogramming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separatecomponent from the processor or may be included onboard within theprocessor.

The controller may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutappliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller may belocated under or next to the user interface 128 or otherwise within toppanel 132. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals arerouted between the controller and various operational components ofappliance 100 such as heating element(s), controls 134, display 130,sensor(s), alarms, and/or other components as may be provided. In oneembodiment, the user interface panel 182 may represent a general purposeI/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block.

Although shown with touch type controls 134, it should be understoodthat controls 134 and the configuration of appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1is provided by way of example only. More specifically, user interface128 may include various input components, such as one or more of avariety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devicesincluding rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface128 may include other display components, such as a digital or analogdisplay device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. Theuser interface 128 may be in communication with the controller via oneor more signal lines or shared communication busses. Also, oven 100 isshown as a wall oven but the present invention could also be used withother appliances such as e.g., a stand-alone oven, an oven with astove-top, and non-oven appliances as well. For example, the adjustableshelf support assembly 106 could also be used within a refrigeratorappliance.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opposing side walls 112 of oven 100 eachinclude a metal sheet 136 from which a plurality of shelf supports 138are formed. Shelf supports 138 extend longitudinally along transversedirection T or, stated alternatively, have a longitudinal axis L thatextends along transverse direction T. Shelf supports 138 aresubstantially parallel to one another and are spaced apart from eachother along vertical direction V.

One or more shelves 120 extend between the opposing side walls 112 asshown in FIG. 1. Each shelf 120 is supported upon a pair of shelfsupports 138. Although only two shelves 120 are shown, any number ofshelves 120 may be used. Furthermore, by providing shelf supports 138 atmultiple different locations along the vertical direction, each shelf120 is vertically adjustable as may be desired by the user toaccommodate different sizes for food items and/or utensils. In addition,multiple food items may be cooked or heated at the same time ondifferent levels through the use of multiple shelves 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8, each shelf support 138 is formedintegrally from metal sheet 136 by e.g., bending, stamping, and/orcutting. Each shelf support 138 includes a flange portion 140 thatextends upwardly along vertical direction V. For the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8, flange portion 140 is parallelto vertical direction V. However, in other embodiments of the invention,flange portion 140 can form acute angles with vertical direction V aswell. Flange portion 140 includes a distal tip 142 at which metal sheet136 is curled to provide a more blunted edge. Flange portion 140 islocated adjacent to a slot 170 that results when flange portion 140 ispunched, bent, and/or stamped from metal sheet 136.

Shelf support assembly 106 also includes a pair of hangers 144. Eachhanger 144 is positioned at one of the opposing sides 146 (FIG. 2) ofshelf 120 near one of the opposing side walls 112 when shelf 120 is notextended from oven cavity 104. For this exemplary embodiment, eachhanger 144 is received onto one of the shelf supports 138 incomplementary manner. More particularly, each hanger 144 forms a channel148 that opens downwardly along vertical direction V. As shown in FIGS.4, 8, and 9, each channel 148 is in receipt of the flange portion 140 ofone of the shelf supports 138 so as to suspend shelf 120 between a pairof shelf supports 138. For this exemplary embodiment, each channel 148includes an inside surface 150 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 8) that rests upon shelfsupport 138.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, shelf support assembly 106 also includesa pair of slide assemblies 152. Each slide assembly 152 includes amovable portion 154 attached to one of the opposing sides 146 of shelf120 and a stationary or non-extendable portion 156 attached to hanger144. By way of example, slide assemblies 152 can be fashioned from e.g.,drawer slides and can include ball bearings or features to facilitatesliding movement. Accordingly slide assemblies 152 allow shelf 120 to beextended out of cavity 104 for convenient access by the user. Shelf 120can be slid back into cavity 104 once the user has e.g., placed orremoved an item from shelf 120. Other constructions for slide assemblies152 may be used as well.

For this exemplary embodiment, hanger 144 is equipped with features thathelp secure shelf 120 in cavity 104 when a user pulls on shelf 120 toextend it. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, each hanger 144 extendslongitudinally between a pair of distal ends 162 and 164. On frontdistal end 162, each hanger 144 defines a protrusion 158 that extendsdownwardly along a vertical direction V. Protrusion 158 is received intoan aperture 160 (FIG. 5) defined by one of the shelf supports 138.Accordingly, when a user pulls on shelf 120 to remove it from cavity104, protrusions 158 on each hanger 144 limit the movement of hangers144 along the transverse direction so that shelf 120 can slide forwardwithout removing hangers 144 from shelf supports 138. A protrusion maybe provided on one or both of the hangers 144 supporting shelf 120. Ifthe user wishes to e.g., relocate shelf support assembly 106 to adifferent pair of shelf supports at a different vertical position orremove assembly 106 for cleaning, the user can lift up on the front 96of shelf 120. This will cause protrusion 158 to disengage from theaperture 160 of shelf support 138 and allow assembly 106 to be movedalong transverse direction T.

In order to prevent tipping when shelf 120 is fully extended, hanger 144is provided with a tab 168 at the rear distal end 164 as shown in FIGS.7, 8, and 9. Tab 168 extends along lateral direction L to engage aflange portion 140 of one of the shelf supports and prevent shelf 120from tipping. One or both hangers 144 provided with shelf 120 can beequipped with tab 168.

One or more elements of shelf support assembly 106 can be coated withmaterials that provide protection during the extreme temperatures thatcan be experienced during cooking operations in oven 100. For example,shelf 120, hanger 144, and/or slide assemblies 152 can be coated withceramic materials, Teflon®, or other protective materials.

In order to prevent damage to such protective materials during oven use,hanger 144 is provided with a finger 166 along front distal end 162.Finger 166 extends along a lateral direction L and is configured toengage flange portion 140 of shelf support 138 when shelf 120 is pushedback into oven cavity 104. As such, flange portion 140 limits themovement of shelf 120 along transverse direction T to prevent contactbetween rear wall 118 and the back 94 (FIG. 2) of shelf 120.

The present invention is not limited to the particular shape of hanger144 or shelf supports 138 shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. Other shapes andconfigurations may be used as well. For example, FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and13 illustrate additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention.More particularly, for this exemplary embodiment, hangers 144 are stillpositioned at opposing sides of shelf 120 as previously described inFIGS. 1 through 9. However, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in thisexemplary embodiment each hanger 144 is received onto a pair of shelfsupports 138.

Each hanger 144 includes a foot 172 extending towards one of theopposing side walls 112 of cooking chamber 104 and next to slot 170.Foot 172 is supported on the inside surface 174 of one of the flangeportions 140 of a shelf support 138. More particularly, for hanger 144rests on an upper flange portion 140 and a lower flange portion 140 withfoot 172 on the lower flange portion 140. Accordingly, for thisexemplary embodiment, each hanger 144 received onto a pair of shelfsupports 138 that are immediately adjacent to each other verticaldirection V. Other features as previously described, such as protrusion158 and fingers 166 can be used as well.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in order to prevent tipping when shelf 120is fully extended, hanger 144 is provided with a tab 176 at the reardistal end 164. Tab 176 extends along lateral direction L to engage aflange portion 140 of one of the shelf supports and prevent shelf 120from tipping. One or both hangers 144 provided with a shelf 120 can beequipped with tab 168.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art from the teachingsdisclosed herein, the construction of shelf supports 138 from metalsheets 136 that are placed on (or form part of) the walls of the ovenchamber, as described in the above embodiments, provides strength forthe support of shelf 120 as well as food or utensils placed thereon.Additionally, such construction is relatively compact and allows fornumerous locations along the vertical direction at which shelf supportassembly 106 with shelf 120 can be located. Increased flexibility isprovided particularly as compared to conventional constructions usingstamped protrusions or projections formed in vertical walls, whichtraditionally provide only a limited number of heights at which shelvesor racks may be placed.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An appliance, comprising: a cabinet having acavity defined in part by a pair of opposing side walls, each opposingside wall comprising a metal sheet forming a plurality of shelf supportsextending longitudinally along a transverse direction, the shelfsupports parallel to each other and formed integrally from the metalsheet, the shelf supports spaced apart from each other along a verticaldirection; and a shelf extending between the opposing side walls, theshelf suspended upon a pair of the shelf supports.
 2. An appliance as inclaim 1, wherein each shelf support comprises a flange portion extendingupwardly along a vertical direction.
 3. An appliance as in claim 2,wherein the shelf further comprises a pair of hangers, each hangerpositioned at opposing sides of the shelf near one of the opposing sidewalls of the cabinet, each hanger forming a channel opening downwardlyalong the vertical direction, each channel in receipt of the flangeportion of one of the shelf supports so as to suspend the shelf betweenthe pair of shelf supports.
 4. An appliance as in claim 3, wherein eachof the shelf supports defines an aperture, and wherein at least onehanger defines a protrusion that extends downwardly along a verticaldirection and is received into one of the apertures of the shelfsupports so as to limit movement of the at least one hanger along atransverse direction.
 5. An appliance as in claim 4, wherein each hangerextends longitudinally between a pair of distal ends, and wherein atleast one of the distal ends includes a finger along a lateral directionthat is configured to engage the flange portion of one of the shelfsupports so as to limit the movement of the shelf along a transversedirection.
 6. An appliance as in claim 5, further comprising a pair ofslide assemblies, each slide assembly positioned along one of theopposing sides of the shelf, each slide having a stationary portionconnected with one of the hangers, each slide having a movable portionconnected with one of the opposing sides of the shelf
 7. An appliance asin claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises an expanded metal.
 8. A shelfsupport assembly for an appliance, the appliance having a cookingchamber, the shelf support assembly comprising: a pair of framespositioned on opposing sides of the cooking chamber, each framecomprising a metal sheet forming a plurality of shelf supports, eachshelf support formed by bending a portion of the sheet to create avertically-extending flange portion positioned beside a slot; a shelfextending between a pair of opposing sides; a pair of slide assemblies,each slide assembly attached to one of the opposing sides of the shelf;and a pair of hangers, each hanger attached to one of the slideassemblies along one of the opposing sides of the shelf, each hangerreceived onto one of the shelf supports in a complementary manner sothat the shelf is supported between the pair of frames.
 9. A shelfsupport assembly for an appliance as in claim 8, wherein each hangerforms a channel opening downwardly along the vertical direction, eachchannel in receipt of the flange portion of one of the shelf supports soas to suspend the shelf between the pair of shelf supports.
 10. A shelfsupport assembly for an appliance as in claim 8, wherein each of theshelf supports defines an aperture, and wherein each hanger defines aprotrusion that extends downwardly along a vertical direction and isreceived into one of the apertures of the shelf supports so as to limitmovement of the shelf along a transverse direction.
 11. A shelf supportassembly for an appliance as in claim 8, wherein each hanger extendslongitudinally between a pair of distal ends, and wherein at least oneof the distal ends includes a finger extending along a lateral directionand configured to engage the flange portion of one of the shelf supportsso as to limit the movement of the shelf along a transverse direction.12. A shelf support assembly for an appliance as in claim 8, wherein theshelf has a pair of opposing sides, and wherein the shelf supportassembly further comprising a pair of slide assemblies, each slideassembly positioned along one of the opposing sides of the shelf, eachslide having a stationary portion connected with one of the hangers,each slide having a movable portion connected with one of the opposingsides of the shelf.
 13. A shelf support assembly for an appliance as inclaim 8, wherein the shelf comprises a plurality of elongated metalrods.
 14. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet that includes acooking chamber having side walls; a pair of frames positioned on sidewalls of the cooking chamber, each frame comprising a metal sheetforming a plurality of shelf supports, each shelf support formed bybending a portion of the sheet to create a vertically-extending flangeportion; a shelf extending between a pair of opposing sides; a pair ofslide assemblies, each slide assembly attached to one of the opposingsides of the shelf; and a pair of hangers, each hanger attached to oneof the slide assemblies along one of the opposing sides of the shelf,each hanger received onto a pair of the shelf supports in acomplementary manner so that the shelf is supported between the pair offrames.
 15. An oven appliance as in claim 14, wherein each hangercomprises a channel opening downwardly along the vertical direction,each channel in receipt of the flange portion of one of the shelfsupports so as to suspend the shelf between the pair of shelf supports.16. An oven appliance as in claim 15, wherein each flange portiondefines an inside surface facing one of the opposing sides of thecooking chamber, and where hanger further comprises a foot extendingtowards one of the opposing sides of the cooking chamber and supportedupon the inside surface of one of the flange portions.
 17. An ovenappliance as in claim 16, wherein one or more of the shelf supportsdefines an aperture, and wherein each foot of the hangers defines aprotrusion that extends downwardly along a vertical direction and isreceived into one of the apertures of the shelf supports so as to limitmovement of the shelf along a transverse direction.
 18. An ovenappliance as in claim 14, wherein each hanger extends longitudinallybetween a pair of distal ends, and wherein at least one of the distalends includes a finger extending along a lateral direction andconfigured to engage the flange portion of one of the shelf supports soas to limit the movement of the shelf along a transverse direction.